7 year veteran slowly gaining weight.....HELP!

[Kim Smith 3]

Okay let me start with what I have been doing wrong......for over a year I have not been eating right at all maybe a meal a day no Protein supplements. I have started back to school full time and not taking care of myself. I also was donating plasma NOT GOOD!!!!! I got so sick and have not been getting better. The lowest I got was 158 and now I am up to 190....My highest weight was 335. I am wanting to get back on track again and not sure how to do this and being a full time student and working. whey Protein gives me gas bad.....not sure about Protein Bars was thinking of Premier Protein Bars because they are 30 grams of protein. How much protein should I do and carbs....also what is my absorption ratio now being seven years out? Also I am eating to much at one time because I am soooo hungry or eating chips or some kind of carb I know that is not good. Also marriage problems are not helping at all.

Thanks Kim

Edited February 28, 2016 by Kim Smith

[briannadoeslife 11]

Back to basics? Maybe try the 5 day pouch test, my surgeon has his own version for anyone at least a year out.

Your Protein needs don't change no matter how far out you are so aim for 80-100 grams. Like you said, you know what you're doing wrong, the hard part is getting yourself back on track

[James Marusek 5,244]

The following article documents my experience in "Maintenance" mode. I am 33 months post-op RNY surgery. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf

Before surgery, you were told what you daily Protein goal was. This goal is a combination of the Protein you obtain from supplements (Protein shakes, protein bars) combined with the amount of protein from you meals. Since you are a 7 year veteran, you need to do some math. Add up all the protein you consume during the normal day. Subtract this from your protein requirement. That should help you figure how much additional protein you should be taking through supplements. I found Quest bars to be a good Protein Bar.

As I said in the article, the goal in the Maintenance phase is hunger control. That is the key. "Eating chips or some kind of carb I know that is not good" does not solve hunger control and may be the main reason why you have seen a weight increase.

[xring3 39]

Will give approprate answer after I have time to think about this.

Edited February 28, 2016 by xring3

[Bufflehead 6,358]

I think you need to look away from adding things like adding supplemental foods to your diet (bars, shakes -- let's face it, these things are more sweet treats than they appear at first glance) and more towards changing the basics of what you eat. You can get plenty of Protein -- and other nutrients -- by focusing on eating a diet of lean meats, green veggies, and healthy fats. As a bonus, eating this way will keep you more full (less hungry) and help control cravings for unhealthy foods.

Instead of doing some crazy fad diet like the five day pouch test, instead try a five day six day carb detox.

Days 1 & 2: eat as much as you want, as frequently as you want, but only lean unprocessed meats & fish (no Jerky, sausage, or deli meats), green veggies, and healthy fats. Calorie-free liquids only. Do not count calories but make sure you plan to eat at least three meals and that you get at least 75 grams of protein by the end of the day.

Days 3 & 4: eat the same way, the same foods, but this time weight and measure your portions and record them in myfitnesspal or another similar app. Set your calorie target for maintenance (your current weight x 10).

Days 5 & 6: eat the same way, but set your calorie target for weight loss: your maintenance number minus 500. This should average out to about 1 lb per week weight loss. If you want to lose more, try going down to -750 or -1000 from your maintenance calories.

After day 6, add in dairy, Beans, and small servings of fruit, but continue to avoid grains (including corn), starchy veggies (potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, etc.), and sweets. Weigh yourself every day. Make sure you plan your meals and Snacks in advance every day.

You can do this -- good luck!

[Healthy_life2 8,330]

@@Kim Smith

I'm glad to see you here. Any of us can slip back and gain weight. Its a good idea to stay connect and have support. Sounds like this is a good time to start taking care of yourself.

Some suggestions:

Log/track your food. Get your Protein and Water in.

Many of us use myfitnesspal https://www.myfitnesspal.com/

Protein: You can eat real food to get your Protein requirements in. you can omit the Protein powder if you want.

Plan and cook ahead. Keep healthy food in your refrigerator, pantry & freezer. Healthy Snacks. Quest has protein potato chips. If you can get your trigger food out of the house or hide it.

Bariatric friendly recipes

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

http://insidekarenskitchen.com/bariatric-friendly-recipes/

Hunger: Get your protein then a good serving of vegetables in. Detox off carbs and sugar.

.

[IrishGermanRN 151]

I agree with My fitness pal. I also agree supplementation if needed. Protein Shakes are NOT a no no if you cant get your requirements in. By all means use them too

[Kim Smith 3]

Thank you for all the advice, trying to cook is hard right now that is why I am not eating I am at school, work or studying... my doctor is saying I need 150 grams of Protein but not sure how much I am absorbing now after all theses years. I know our bodies do adapt. Also can you pre mix Protein drinks the night before?

[eclecticwingtips 130]

Can you cook on weekends and freeze. I do this as i live alone and it reduces wastage

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[Postop 413]

Thank you for all the advice, trying to cook is hard right now that is why I am not eating I am at school, work or studying... my doctor is saying I need 150 grams of Protein but not sure how much I am absorbing now after all theses years. I know our bodies do adapt. Also can you pre mix Protein drinks the night before?

Hi @@Kim Smith. When your doctor says you need 150gr/protein/day; it doesn't matter how much your body is absorbing. We all need a great deal of protein each day. I probably eat about 150gr/protein/day and I'm almost 11 years out. I don't eat shakes, bars, etc. Haven't for years. Just food. That's the best way a DSer can get his/her protein in. I would be so hungry if I were doing shakes or bars to replace food. I eat every 2-3 hours (even at work).

eclecticwingtips has a good idea. I cook every few Sundays: turkey burgers, inexpensive steaks, lamb chops on sale, hamburgers (80% fat). Then I freeze them and just heat them up in the microwave when I get home.

I take tuna to work, or get a double meat sandwich in the cafeteria (I generally don't eat the bread, though; too filling and I don't want the carbs). I also buy a cooked roast chicken. It's isn't costly and I get 3-4 lunches out of it.

I have nuts with me at all times. I keep Greek full fat yogurt (plain, I add what I want), cold cuts and cheeses in my refrigerator.

I don't eat many carbs. Besides making me gain weight, I get foul smelling gas and I don't want that in public. When I do eat carbs and sugar (and I do!) it's done in the privacy of my apartment. Really, what you need to do is cut out those carbs and substitute protein. You'll feel better and lose weight. Try this: As I take classes, too; I often go to McDonald's or another ff place for a snack. I get a triple with catsup and cheese. I don't eat the bun (too filling and too many carbs) but I eat inside the bun. So I'm full, happy, satiated, don't feel deprived, etc.

Also, when did you last do your bloods? You said you're not feeling well and it hasn't gotten better. You need to known your Iron, zinc, etc. As you said, you really shouldn't be giving plasma. I used to give blood 2x/year, but was told by my surgeons that ended with the DS.

Edited February 29, 2016 by Postop

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Why in the world does your surgeon think you need 150 grams of Protein a day?

That's in the range of what competitive bodybuilders eat.

I'm betting you need something more like 80-100 grams of Protein a day.

Just sayin'.

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

I am the queen of high quality food, that while "processed" has good ingredients and not loaded with salt, sugar and carby junk. Before I type the magna carta maybe you could say about what it is you like, things you cant eat etc.

In summary though, stores like costco, trader joes etc. have flash frozen Protein (chicken , fish and seafood, beef) and veggies that are high nutrition. I do keep fresh salad ingredients on hand always. I love fresh, don't get me wrong, but if you aren't Suzy homemaker you wind up tossing stuff you never cooked in time. I have mastered the 10-15 minute prep meal - beats the heck out of takeout.

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[Bufflehead 6,358]

@@VSGAnn2014 this person had DS, and they have extra needs for Protein due to the high malabsorption that comes with that surgery. I agree that 150 grams seems high, even for DS, but it is not nearly as high as it would be for someone with sleeve or even bypass. At least that is what I have gathered from the people in my support group with DS.

[Postop 413]

Why in the world does your surgeon think you need 150 grams of Protein a day?

That's in the range of what competitive bodybuilders eat.

I'm betting you need something more like 80-100 grams of Protein a day.

Just sayin'.

Hi,

DSers need at least 125mg. per day. Most eat more.

[erp 2,016]

I'm a lazy cook as well. Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt are standards for me. Salads topped with pre cooked meats work- my local supermarket sells 1.75 oz grilled chicken skewers, 3 oz baked salmon fillets, etc in the deli dept. I pack Protein bars in my purse along with Jerky and or prepackaged nuts. You will have to put some deliberate effort in for a couple of weeks but if you, these can become habits again. Please go get your labs done and best of luck.